CORD leader Raila Odinga supports report on electoral reforms

CORD leader Raila Odinga has expressed his support for the report on electoral reforms saying it would set the stage for a free and fair General Election in 2017.

Speaking after receiving the report on Wednesday, Odinga called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to also support the report and marshal support from Jubilee MPs when it is tabled in Parliament.

“I am okay with the select committee recommendations. I can live with them,” said Odinga.

“All CORD members will support the report and the draft bills. I hope my friend and brother Uhuru will ask Jubilee MPs to do the same.”

He praised the selection committee for reaching an agreement on the issue noting that it was a give and take scenario.

“We have conceded many issues we were insisting on for the sake of this country.”

The opposition leader also urged Uhuru to support the proposal expressing optimism of a well negotiated process.

“I would not want the President to have a role in the selection of IEBC commissioners. But if he wishes to do so, I would wish he consults me.”

Odinga postponed his tour of Taita Taveta that had been scheduled for Wednesday in order to receive the report.

The agreement ends weeks of tussling among the committee members affiliated to Jubilee and CORD over various proposals including voter registers, selection of IEBC commissioners and mode of transmission of results.

The finer details of the report were hammered on Tuesday night with the committee members agreeing on the composition of the commission.

In a resolution reached on Tuesday, the team composed of CORD and Jubilee legislators agreed on an IEBC team that would be composed of seven commissioners working on a full-time basis.

The team also agreed to have the current IEBC commissioners exit office by September 30, 2016 after handing over to a new team that should be in place by then.